Ann Arbor, Mich. — Legislative, appropriations and policy priorities of the Great Lakes states will be the central focus of Great Lakes Day, scheduled for March 23 in Washington, D.C. Co-sponsored by the Great Lakes Commission and the Northeast-Midwest Institute, the day’s activities will provide an excellent opportunity for the region’s policymakers and opinion leaders to meet and discuss issues with members and staff of the Great Lakes Congressional Delegation and other key public and private sector leaders.

The day begins with the annual Great Lakes Congressional Breakfast, featuring presentations by members of the Great Lakes Congressional Delegation. The breakfast will be held in Room B-339 of the Rayburn House Office Building, from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.

Dick Munson, executive director of the Northeast-Midwest Institute, will offer remarks and introduce the congressional speakers at the breakfast. Following these presentations, Irene Brooks and Nathaniel E. Robinson, chair and vice chair of the Great Lakes Commission, will present legislative and appropriations priorities in the areas of resource management and environmental quality, and transportation and economic development.

“As the call for government to do more with less grows stronger, we must continue to seek new and innovative means of protecting our land and water resources,” according to Brooks, executive director, Office for River Basin Cooperation, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. “Our annual Great Lakes Day events are an excellent opportunity for legislators and regional leaders to come together to discuss common issues and lay the groundwork for future policy initiatives.”

An issues briefing for congressional staff and other interested parties will be held following the breakfast in Room 1539 of the Longworth House Office Building from 10 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Directors and senior staff from the Great Lakes Commission and numerous other state, regional and federal Great Lakes agencies and organizations will speak.

The breakfast and issues briefing are open to the public. The $35 charge (payable in advance) for the breakfast will be waived for those with media credentials, but everyone must pre-register. Registration materials are attached, along with preliminary agendas. Space is limited; deadline for pre-registration is March 20.

Invitation Letter
Preliminary Agenda
Briefing
(Above forms in pdf)

For immediate release: January 7, 2000
Contact: Dr. Michael J. Donahue, [email protected]

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The Great Lakes Commission is a nonpartisan, binational compact agency created by state and U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region and its residents. The Commission consists of state legislators, agency officials and governors’ appointees from its eight member states. Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a “Declaration of Partnership.” The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.